Method and apparatus for playing block-stacking game

ABSTRACT

A method for playing a block-stacking game is executed in an apparatus showing an array and blocks of different types and allowing at least one player to stack the blocks in the array. The blocks are displayed in the array in sequence, and only one block is moved from a top side toward a bottom side of the array in a period of time. After stacking, adjacent blocks of the same type are erased. The apparatus includes an input module allowing at least one player to input control command for executing the method, an operational module receives control command from the input module, and a display module. The operational module includes an operational section that executes operational procedures of the method and a storage section that stores resultant data of the operational procedures. The display module receives result output by the operational module and displays the result to the player.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for playing ablock-stacking game and, more particularly, to a method and apparatusfor playing a block-stacking game in which a finite number of blocks ofcertain types is stacked in an array to avoid tediousness.

2. Description of Related Art

With reference to FIG. 1, in “Tetris”, a conventional block-stackinggame, a display 9 is used to show stacking of tetrominoes of differentshapes each of which is composed of a plurality of square blocks. Arandom sequence of tetrominoes falls down a playing field 91 of thedisplay 9. Each tetromino can be moved sideways and downward and rotatedby 90 degree units. When a horizontal line of blocks without gaps iscreated, it disappears, and the blocks above (if any) fall whereas theplayer gains some points. The game ends when the stack of thetetrominoes reaches the top of the playing field 91 and new tetrominoesare unable to enter.

Since scoring in this game is based on elimination of the block lines,the player must spend a long time to gain a high score and to end thegame. Namely, the player or other waiting players must experiencetedious playing to gain the high score.

The present invention is intended to provide an improved method andapparatus to overcome the above-mentioned problems.

OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION

An object of the present invention is to provide a method and apparatusfor playing a block-stacking game by removing remaining blocks in theremaining block sequence N and stacking the blocks in an array A untilthe blocks reach the top side U of the array A or no blocks exist in theremaining block sequence N. The present invention limits the executioncycle of the game and avoids tedious playing while providing a positivestacking game.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A method for playing a block-stacking game in accordance with thepresent invention is executed in an apparatus for playing theblock-stacking game showing an array and a plurality of blocks of aplurality of types and allowing at least one player to stack theplurality of blocks in the array. The blocks are displayed in the arrayin sequence, and only one of the blocks is moved from a top side of thearray toward a bottom side of the array in a period of time. A player iscapable of controlling movement of this block in the period of time. Theblocks of the same type adjacent to each other after stacking areerased.

An apparatus for playing a block-stacking game in accordance with thepresent invention comprises an input module, an operational module, anda display module. The input module allows at least one player to inputcontrol command for executing a method for playing a block-stackingmethod. The operational module includes an operational section and astorage section. The operational module receives control command fromthe input module. The operational section executes operationalprocedures of the method for playing a block-stacking method, and thestorage section stores resultant data of the operational procedures. Thedisplay module receives result output by the operational module anddisplays the result to the player.

Other objects, advantages and novel features of this invention willbecome more apparent from the following detailed description when takenin conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a schematic view illustrating a conventional Tetris game;

FIG. 2 is a schematic block diagram illustrating an apparatus forplaying a block-stacking game in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 3 a is a schematic diagram illustrating a play field of a displayafter a first step of a method for playing a block-stacking game inaccordance with the present invention;

FIG. 3 b is a schematic diagram illustrating the play field whileexecuting a fifth step of the method for playing a block-stacking gamein accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 3 c is a schematic diagram illustrating the play field whileexecuting a sixth step of the method for playing a block-stacking gamein accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 3 d is another schematic diagram illustrating the play field whileexecuting the sixth step of the method for playing a block-stacking gamein accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 3 e is a schematic diagram illustrating the play field whileexecuting an eighth step of the method for playing a block-stacking gamein accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 3 f is a schematic diagram illustrating the play field whileexecuting ninth and tenth steps of the method for playing ablock-stacking game in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 3 g is a schematic diagram illustrating the play field after thetenth step of the method for playing a block-stacking game in accordancewith the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating the method for playing ablock-stacking game in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating score calculation of the method forplaying a block-stacking game in accordance with the present invention;and

FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram illustrating score calculation of themethod for playing a block-stacking game in accordance with the presentinvention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring to FIG. 2, an apparatus for playing a block-stacking game inaccordance with the present invention comprises an input module 1, anoperational module 2, and a display module 3. The input module 1includes least one command input for executing a method for playing theblock-stacking game. The operational module 2 includes an operationalsection 21 and a storage section 22. The operational section 21 executesoperational procedures of the method for playing the block-stackinggame, and the data generated during the operational procedures arestored in the storage section 22.

The display module 3 receives the result of operational output by theoperational module 2 and displays it to the player. The display module 3may be a screen, a flat panel display, or a light-emitting diode (LED)display device. The screen and the flat panel display show theoperational result of the operational module 3 by a plurality of figuresand a plurality of colored blocks that fill the figures. The LED displaydevice shows the operational result by on/off and the colors of aplurality of LEDs. In any case, the screen, the flat panel display, andthe light-emitting diode display device may be displayed by at least twocolors.

With reference to FIG. 3 a, the display module 3 utilizes a screen orflat panel display (or the LED display device) to show a plurality oflocation units 31, a plurality of horizontal index lines 32, and atleast one input unit 33. The location units 31 and the input unit 33 arerepresented by colored blocks shown on the screen or flat panel display(or the LED display device). More specifically, the color of the block(or LED) indicates the type of the block at the location unit 31 orinput unit 33. Namely, each type of block has a corresponding color. Thelocation units 31 and the input unit 33 together form a W×H array Aconsisting of W columns of figures (or LEDs) and H rows of figures (orLEDs). Four sides of the array respectively define top side U, bottomside B, left side L, and right side R. The display module 3 may includeseveral input units 33 each of which is in an appropriate position ofthe top side U of the array A. In the illustrated embodiment, thedisplay module 3 includes only one input unit 33 in a central positionof the top side U of the array A.

Each horizontal index line 32 extends horizontally in parallel to thebottom side B across the array A. A distance from a respectivehorizontal index line 32 to the bottom side B is represented by Y(X),wherein X is the Xth horizontal index line 32, e.g., Y(1) is thedistance from the first horizontal index line 32 to the bottom side B.

The first to third steps (S1-S3) of the method in for playing ablock-stacking game in accordance with the present invention will now bedescried with reference to FIGS. 2, 3 a, and 4.

In step 1 (S1), it is initially set that there are no blocks in all ofthe location units 31 and the input unit 33 in the array A. Morespecifically, no colored block is filled in all figures of the locationunits 31 and the input unit 33 (or all LEDs are off).

In step 2 (S2), a remaining block sequence N and a remaining number ofblocks Nt are created. The remaining block sequence N includes aplurality of blocks of a plurality of types. Furthermore, the remainingblock sequence N is formed by the blocks with a preset ratio in randomorder. The remaining number of blocks Nt offers a record for the totalnumber of the blocks in the remaining block sequence N.

In step 3 (S3), the operational section 21 identifies whether theremaining number of blocks Nt is greater than zero. If yes, a block N1is removed from the remaining block sequence N and Nt becomes Nt minusby 1, and step 4 (S4) is then carried out. If not (i.e., Nt=0), the gameends, and score calculation is carried out. The remaining number ofblocks Nt must be greater than zero when step 3 (S3) is carried out forthe first time.

When executing the method for playing a block-stacking game inaccordance with the present invention, the blocks are removed from theremaining block sequence N in sequence until the remaining number ofblocks Nt becomes zero.

The fourth to sixth steps (S4-S6) of the method in for playing ablock-stacking game in accordance with the present invention will now bedescried with reference to FIGS. 2, 3 b, 3 c, 3 d, and 4.

In step 4 (S4), the operational section 21 identifies whether each inputunit 33 is filled with a block. If one or more input unit 33 has noblocks, step 5 (S5) is carried out. If each input unit 33 is filled witha block, the game ends and score calculation is carried out. Initially,there will be no block in each input unit 33 when step 4 is carried outfor the first time.

In step 5 (S5), a block N1 is shown in any one of the input units 32without blocks, and the input unit 33 filled with the block N1 is givena color corresponding to that of the block N1.

In step 6 (S6), the location units 31 or the input unit 33 is used torepresent movement of the block N1. The block N1 moves toward the bottomside B in a direction parallel to the left side L (or the right side R).Furthermore, the player may use the input module 1 to move the block N1toward the location units 31 or input units 32 that are free of blocksand that are more adjacent and closer to the left side L, the right sideR, or the bottom side B. When step 6 (S6) is carried out for the firsttime, the initial position of the block N1 is the input unit 33.

More specifically, in step 6 (S6), the primary input unit 33 or theprimary location unit 31 is given the color the same as that of theblock N1. Next, in a case that the player does not move the block N1within a preset falling time T, another input unit 33 or location unit31 that is more adjacent to the bottom side B is given the color thesame as the block N1 whereas the primary input unit 33 or the primarylocation unit 31 resumes its original block-free state. In another casethat the player moves the block N1 within the preset falling time T, theblock N1 is filled into an adjacent input unit 33 or an adjacentlocation unit 31 whereas the primary input unit 33 or the primarylocation unit 31 resumes its original block-free state. In this way, thedisplay module 3 shows the movement of the block N1. The falling time Tmay be decreased when the remaining number of blocks Nt decreases,thereby increasing difficulty of the game.

The seventh and eighth steps (S7-S8) of the method in for playing ablock-stacking game in accordance with the present invention will now bedescried with reference to FIGS. 2, 3 e, and 4.

In step 7 (S7), the operational section 21 identifies whether the blockN1 lands at the bottom side B or another block. If yes, step 8 (S8) iscarried out. If not, step 6 (S6) is executed again. The block N1 is theonly block in the array A shown in FIG. 3 c. Hence, the block N1 canonly land on the bottom side B.

In step 8 (S8), the operational section 21 identifies whether any sideof the block N1 is contact with a block of the same type. If yes, theprocedure goes to step 9 (S9). If not, the procedure goes to step 3(S3). In a case that the block N1 is the only block in the array A, theresult of identification is “no”; namely, the block N1 is not in contactwith any other blocks.

The ninth and tenth steps (S9-S10) of the method in for playing ablock-stacking game in accordance with the present invention will now bedescried with reference to FIGS. 2, 3 f, 3 g, and 4.

In step 9 (S9), the blocks of the same type and adjacent to each otherare erased to resume block-free location units 31. In a case that theremaining blocks (if any) between the erased blocks and the top side Uare moved toward the bottom side B until they come into contact with thebottom side B or another blocks.

In step 10 (S10), the operational section 21 identifies whether thereare blocks of the same type and adjacent to each other exist in theremaining block in the array A. If yes, step 9 (S9) is carried outagain. If not, the procedure goes to step 3 (S3).

By the above ten steps (S1-S10), the player may stack all of the blocksof the remaining block sequence N in the array A, and when the remainingnumber of blocks Nt is identified as zero in step 3 (S3) or a blockexists in each input unit 33 in step 4 (S4), the game ends and scorecalculation is carried out.

With reference to FIGS. 5 and 6, the score calculation is carried out bythe operational module 2 to obtain the score gained by the player. Thescore calculation includes three steps (G1-G3). In step G1, a minimumstacking height Y of the blocks from the bottom side B to the top side Uin the array A is calculated. Namely, in the array A, all of thelocation units 31 between the minimum stacking height Y and the bottomside B are filled with blocks. Furthermore, at least one row of locationunits 31 between the minimum stacking height Y and the top side U isfree of blocks, which row of location units 31 extends from the minimumstacking height Y to the top side U.

In step G2, a scoring height Y(Xn) is calculated, which scoring heightY(Xn) is one of the Xn-th horizontal index lines 32 between the minimumstacking height Y and the top side U and most adjacent to the minimumstacking height Y. The scoring height Y(Xn) in FIG. 6 is Y(2).

In step G3, the display module 3 shows the scoring height Y(Xn) or aresult of the game that is obtained by an algorithm based on the scoringheight Y(Xn).

As mentioned above, the player and/or other waiting players mustexperience tedious playing/waiting to gain the high score and to end thegame in the conventional block-stacking game shown in FIG. 1. Byremoving remaining blocks in the remaining block sequence N and stackingthe blocks in an array A until the blocks reach the top side U of thearray A or no blocks exist in the remaining block sequence N, the methodand apparatus of the present invention limit the execution cycle of thegame and avoid tedious playing while providing a positive stacking game.

While the principles of this invention have been disclosed in connectionwith specific embodiments, it should be understood by those skilled inthe art that these descriptions are not intended to limit the scope ofthe invention, and that any modification and variation without departingthe spirit of the invention is intended to be covered by the scope ofthis invention defined only by the appended claims.

1. A method for playing a block-stacking game, the method being executedin an apparatus for playing the block-stacking game showing an array anda plurality of blocks and allowing at least one player to stack theplurality of blocks in the array; wherein the plurality of blocks aredisplayed in the array in sequence, and only one of the plurality ofblocks is moved from a top side of the array toward a bottom side of thearray in a period of time, and a player is capable of controllingmovement of said one of the plurality of blocks in the period of time;and wherein the plurality of blocks are of a plurality of types, and theblocks of the same type adjacent to each other after stacking areerased.
 2. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the methodcomprises the following steps of: (1) displaying the array by aplurality of location units and at least one input unit of theapparatus, with the plurality of location units and said at least oneinput unit being initially set to be block-free, and with the pluralityof blocks forming a remaining block sequence; (2) identifying whether aremaining number of blocks of the remaining block sequence is greaterthan zero, wherein step (3) is carried out if the remaining number ofblocks of the remaining block sequence is greater than zero, and whereinthe game ends and score calculation is carried out if the remainingnumber of blocks of the remaining block sequence is equal to zero; (3)identifying whether each said at least one input unit is filled with ablock, wherein the game ends and score calculation is carried out ifeach said at least one input unit is filled with a block, and whereinstep (4) is carried out if one or more of said at least one input unitare not filled with a block; (4) removing one of the plurality of blocksfrom the remaining block sequence and displaying said one of theplurality of blocks in one of said at least one block input unit that isfree of block; (5) showing movement of said one of the plurality ofblocks by said plurality of location units and said at least one inputunit, with said one of the plurality of blocks being moved through aninput module by a player, and with said one of the plurality of blocksbeing moved toward the bottom side of the array to an adjacent locationunit within a falling time if said one of the plurality of blocks is notmoved; (6) identifying whether said one of the plurality of blocks landson the bottom side or is in contact with another one of the plurality ofblocks, wherein step (7) is carried out if said one of the plurality ofblocks lands on the bottom side or is in contact with another one of theplurality of blocks, and wherein step (5) is carried out if said one ofthe plurality of blocks does not land on the bottom side nor is incontact with another one of the plurality of blocks; (7) identifyingwhether said one of the plurality of blocks is in contact with anotherone of the plurality of blocks of a type the same as that of said one ofthe plurality of blocks, wherein step (8) is carried out if said one ofthe plurality of blocks is in contact with another one of the pluralityof blocks of the same type, and wherein said step (2) is carried out ifsaid one of the plurality of blocks is not in contact with another oneof the plurality of blocks of another type; (8) erasing the blocksadjacent to each other and of the same type, and moving the remainingblocks between the erased blocks and the top side toward the bottom sideuntil the remaining blocks come in contact with the bottom side oranother block; and (9) identifying whether adjacent blocks in theremaining blocks in the array are of the same type, wherein said step(8) is carried out if said adjacent blocks in the remaining blocks inthe array are of the same type, and wherein said step (2) is carried outif said adjacent blocks in the remaining blocks in the array are ofdifferent types.
 3. The method as claimed in claim 2, wherein said atleast one input unit is at the top side of the array.
 4. The method asclaimed in claim 2, wherein the remaining block sequence is formed bythe plurality of blocks of the plurality of types with a preset ratio inrandom order.
 5. The method as claimed in claim 2, wherein the fallingtime is decreased when the remaining number of blocks decreases.
 6. Themethod as claimed in claim 2, wherein the score calculation includes thefollowing steps of: (a) calculating a minimum stacking height of theblocks from the bottom side to the top side in the array; (b) obtaininga scoring height and a horizontal index line most adjacent to thescoring height; and (c) displaying one of the scoring height and aresult of the game by the display module.
 7. An apparatus for playing ablock-stacking game, comprising: an input module allowing at least oneplayer to input control command for executing a method for playing ablock-stacking method; an operational module including an operationalsection and a storage section, the operational module receiving controlcommand from the input module, the operational section executingoperational procedures of the method for playing a block-stackingmethod, and the storage section storing resultant data of theoperational procedures; and a display module receiving result output bythe operational module and displaying the result to said at least oneplayer.
 8. The apparatus as claimed in claim 7, wherein the displaymodule is a screen, a flat panel display, or a light-emitting diodedisplay device.
 9. The apparatus as claimed in claim 8, wherein thescreen includes a plurality of figures and a plurality of colored blocksfilling the figures for representing operational result of theoperational module.
 10. The apparatus as claimed in claim 8, wherein theflat panel display includes a plurality of figures and a plurality ofcolored blocks filling the figures for representing operational resultof the operational module.
 11. The apparatus as claimed in claim 8,wherein the light-emitting diode display device includes a plurality oflight-emitting diodes that are turned on and off and that emit lights ofdifferent colors to represent operational result of the operationalmodule.
 12. The apparatus as claimed in claim 9, wherein the coloredblocks of the screen include a plurality of colors corresponding tothose of the types of the blocks.
 13. The apparatus as claimed in claim10, wherein the colored blocks of the flat panel display include aplurality of colors corresponding to those of the types of the blocks.14. The apparatus as claimed in claim 11, wherein the lights emitted bythe light-emitting diodes include a plurality of colors corresponding tothose of the types of the blocks.